Subject: Crystal Growth Flight Opportunities
Forwarded by: lmh at xray.caltech.edu
Originally From: JENNY CHAPMAN <Jenny.Chapman at msfc.nasa.gov>
____________________________________________________________________________
Guest Co-Investigator proposals are being solicited for upcoming Space Shuttle
and Mir flight opportunities utilizing newly developed protein crystal growth
hardware. The purpose of this experiment series is the production of high
quality protein crystals for application in macromolecular structure
determination and refinement and for further delineating the role of
microgravity. Approximately 400-800 sample chambers are available in this
hardware for each flight. The crystallization method is by a standardized
vapor diffusion technique, employing sample volumes which may range from
approximately 10 to 40 microliters. In addition, there will be approximately
162 sample chambers available for long duration Mir experiments utilizing
the dialysis technique of crystallization. Samples are not necessarily
restricted to proteins. Potential candidates may represent crystal forms
which present unique problems such as sedimentation, limited diffraction
quality, or limited growth that may be alleviated by crystallization in a
microgravity environment.
Applicants will be required to submit a brief proposal in the suggested
format, describing the need for microgravity crystallization of the
candidate protein. Applications will be reviewed by an objective committee
and judged on the basis of suitability of the proposal for a flight
experiment. Note: Applicants utilizing microgravity to augment structure
determinations involving research previously funded through peer review
will be given priority. International involvement is encouraged.
The principal investigator for this project is Dr. Daniel C. Carter
of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
For proposal information concerning the protein crystal growth flight
opportunities, please call Jenny Chapman (205-544-3885) or e-mail at
jenny.chapman at msfc.nasa.gov.
Proposals are TIME CRITICAL (early October deadlines), so please do not
delay!!!!
Sincerely,
Jenny Chapman
Laboratory for Structural Biology
Marshall Space Flight Center/NASA